The game was over before it even started. Idaho’s first game of the 2014 season against the Florida Gators was terminated, due to poor weather conditions.
“We are disappointed we did not get to play,” Idaho coach Paul Petrino said. “We are looking forward to next weekend.”
Florida coach Will Muschamp shared the same disappointment. He said his team was fired up to play, and it’s unfortunate the weather didn’t cooperate and that the field was too dangerous for the student-athletes.
Just over 30 minutes before kickoff, the first lighting strike occurred within an eight-mile radius of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Officials immediately told both teams to evacuate the field and go to their respected locker rooms.
It’s an SEC rule that if lighting strikes within eight miles of the stadium, the game must be suspended for 30 minutes without another strike occurring.
After a two hour and 45 minute lighting strike delay, the game started, but after one play — a 64-yard kickoff return by Florida’s Valdez Showers to the Idaho 15-yard line — another lighting strike hit, and the game was suspended again.
An hour later, the game was terminated after Florida field specialist determined the playing surface was unsafe due to the rain. There was more than 1,000 lighting strikes recorded and flood warnings in the area.
“The only thing we know is there are two options — replay the game at a later date or it becomes a no contest. A lot of discussion will follow. Nothing decided,” said Idaho Director of Athletics Rob Spear in a statement after the game.
Spear told ESPN that both schools will continue discussions next week. A possible date for another game is Oct. 25 as both Idaho and Florida both have a bye week then though nothing official has been released by either school concerning that date.
According to the SEC rulebook, if a game is suspended before the end of the fourth quarter and isn’t resumed, the teams have four options: resume the game at a later date, terminate the game, forfeit the game or declare no contest.
In a statement released after the game, University of Florida Athletics said the directors from both schools and the coaches must agree on one of the four options. It said the agreement would include the final score if the game is terminated, but if it is resumed, it will begin with the same time remaining, under the same conditions of down, distance field position and player eligibility.
The Vandals were to receive a $975,000 paycheck for this game, and it remains to be seen if they will still get the money. A Florida spokesperson said after the game that details still need to be worked out.
Idaho will attempt to open up its season again Saturday in its first Sun Belt game against Louisiana-Monroe. The weather report in Monroe, Louisiana calls for a chance of rain and thunderstorms.
Korbin McDonald can be reached at [email protected]